Siemens (www.siemens.com) has officially opened its 15th UK factory — in Worcester.

Materials Solutions has been set up to move 3-D printing out of the laboratory and onto the factory floor, and it is a pioneer in the use of Selective Laser Melting (SLM) technology for the manufacture of high-performance metal parts.

It will focus on high-end prototypes and serial production for customers in the power generation, aerospace, automotive, process and tooling sectors.

The type of things made in the factory so far range from high-temperature components found in gas turbines and jet engines to tooling applications.

A digital approach is embedded in the site, to create a modern factory with better control over lead times, quality and cost throughout the development of the product before delivery to the customer.

Juergen Maier, Siemens CEO, said: “Additive manufacturing is a technology that will be at the cutting edge of the fourth industrial revolution.

“Our new facility is an example of the Industrial Strategy in action and aligns perfectly with the principles of Made Smarter — outlining how additive manufacturing is a key part of raising productivity and creating a new industry with lots of opportunity for high-value well-paid jobs.

“The fourth industrial revolution will be much more about smaller, agile and very high-value technology companies like this and less about the mega-factories of the third revolution.

“There will be lots of such high-tech companies, and we hope this investment will be key to the creation of a globally leading ecosystem for additive manufacturing — here in Worcester and beyond.”